The Robbber Barons Will: Did Robert Baratheon Have One and How Did the Lannisters Know His Heir?
The Robbber Baron's Will: Did Robert Baratheon Have One and How Did the Lannisters Know His Heir?
Robert Baratheon, the King of the Andals and all those he had conquered, had a will, contrary to popular belief. This royal decree was crucial in the tumultuous power dynamics of Westeros, particularly in the aftermath of Robert's demise. In his will, Robert intended to name his apparent son, Joffrey Baratheon, as his heir and Ned Stark as the Lord Regent and Protector of the Realm.
Robert's Final Command
Robert's will begins with the traditional opening:
This is the will and word of Robert of House Baratheon, the First of his Name, King of the Andals and all the rest. I do hereby command Eddard of House Stark, Lord of Winterfell, and Hand of the King, to serve as Lord Regent and Protector of the Realm upon my death to rule in my stead until my son Joffrey does come of age.
Here, Joffrey is presumed to be Robert's son, but as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Joffrey was actually the illegitimate son of Cersei Lannister and an unidentified hunky knight. Despite the king's true intentions, Ned Stark, with great empathy and respect for Robert's wishes, amended the will. Instead of naming Joffrey as his son, Ned altered the will to read, "my heir," ensuring that the legitimate succession would be honored.
Legal Precedents in Westeros
According to the laws of Westeros, when a king dies without a living son, the eldest male offspring of the previous king assumes his position. This is clearly stated in the laws and customs of the realm, emphasizing the importance of bloodline and lineage in matters of succession. Therefore, in the absence of a will specifying a name, Joffrey's claim as the apparent son of Robert Baratheon would have automatically made him the next king, even if he was a bastard.
However, in the complex world of Westeros, where misunderstandings and deceit run rampant, the absence of a clear will led to a power struggle. When Robert's will was presented to Cersei, she, in her furious jealousy and desire for power, immediately tore it into pieces. This act symbolizes Cersei's strategic and ultimately successful maneuvering to manipulate the succession to her advantage.
Regency and the Iron Throne
Robert's will appointing Ned Stark as the "Lord Regent and Protector of the Realm" was a significant clause. Under Westerosi law, when the king is underage, a regent is appointed to rule the kingdom until the king comes of age. Traditionally, it is the mother who serves as regent. However, Robert opted for a non-traditional move by choosing Ned Stark, indicating his trust in Stark's wisdom and fairness. However, with Ned's arrest and the killing of his men, Cersei, with no legal or ethical qualms, quickly moved to appoint herself as Queen Regent, bridging the gap and consolidating her hold on the throne.
The Role of a Great Council
A will is indeed necessary in cases where there is no living son and there is a contest between brothers or grandchildren of the king. In such instances, a great council is called to resolve the matter of succession. Such a council ensures that the rightful heir is determined and that the kingdom remains stable during the transition.
In the case of Robert Baratheon, the absence of a will led to chaos and betrayal. The conflict between Joffrey, who was believed to be the legal heir, and the aspirations of other claimants, most notably Stannis Baratheon, who was the king's brother and saw himself as the rightful ruler, brought the power struggle to a boiling point. However, the real master of the situation was Cersei Lannister, who played on the confusion and used her political and legal acumen to manipulate the situation to her advantage.
In conclusion, Robert Baratheon did leave a will, but its provisions were altered at the last moment, and its true importance was later negated by political maneuvering and deception. The role of the Lannisters and Cersei's cunning actions illustrate the complexity of succession in Westeros and how personal ambition and political savvy can overshadow the sanctity of a royal will.